Stop smoking now, so your body can heal better after surgery.

• Get more oxygen to your body. Within 12 hours, your heart and lungs start working better, and your blood delivers more oxygen to your body. Getting more oxygen to your body can help you heal faster.
• Reduce the risk of surgical complications. Quitting reduces the risk of problems during and after surgery — including wound infections, breathing problems, like pneumonia and blood clots that travel to the lungs, and heart attacks.
• Reduce your risk of cancer. You’ll lower your risk for many cancers, emphysema, stroke, and heart disease.

Smokers who quit before or at surgery:

• Have fewer cravings for cigarettes.
• Are more than twice as likely to succeed in stopping long term.

You're more than twice as likely to succeed if you get help.

• Call the toll-free national Tobacco Quitline: 1-800-QUIT NOW (784-8669).
• Go to the website: www.BecomeAnEx.org

If you'll be admitted to the hospital, your health care provider can refer you to a tobacco treatment specialist. He or she can help you make a quit plan that's right for you.